This read is phenomenal, yet heart-breaking to endure. I intend to settle on the passage where they first see two groups of strange individuals in striped coats.
"Instead, two groups of strange individuals emerged into the light of the lamps. They walked in squads, in rows of three, with an odd, embarrassed step, head dangling in front, arms rigid. "
This image is nothing more than a nightmare. Personally I just imagine that sight. Simply the creepy unfamiliarity of someone walking in a strange pattern seems spooky. Not only that it seems a bit inhumane or unnerving. When I was really young, like 3 or 4, I used to be nervous around someone with an amputation because I did not understand the circumstances. I seriously thought that the rest of the person's limb would come back at any moment. The strange point I'm making is that this image is certainly strange, but I can't imagine the heartbreak the author felt when they realized that these were people, and it was only a matter of time before they became the same way, drained of life and soul.
I also have a serious problem with the contaminated tap water.
"...I have to spit it out, the water is tepid and sweetish, with the smell of a swamp."
It is already cruel to torture and kill innocent lives, but deception is on a more twisted level and affects the victim more personally. I wouldn't be surprised if the tap would have been filled with gasoline rather than water.
Lastly, reading about his new name was tough.
"I have learned that I am a Haftling. My number is 174517."
This reminds me about slavery. One of the easiest methods to dehumanize and crush the spirits of rebellious slaves was to force an identity crisis. A name is someone's personal form of identification. My name is Joshua and I like my name. I don't want to be called Jared or John, I am Joshua. Reassigning their names to that of cold hard data can cause what seems to be at first a subtle effect, but will soon ruin their mindset. They are being treated like animals in every way, and are even expecting it. Such Pain. This is a difficult read and one that leads me to be thankful for how easy we have it.
I commented on the posts of Eliza and Caroline.
"Instead, two groups of strange individuals emerged into the light of the lamps. They walked in squads, in rows of three, with an odd, embarrassed step, head dangling in front, arms rigid. "
This image is nothing more than a nightmare. Personally I just imagine that sight. Simply the creepy unfamiliarity of someone walking in a strange pattern seems spooky. Not only that it seems a bit inhumane or unnerving. When I was really young, like 3 or 4, I used to be nervous around someone with an amputation because I did not understand the circumstances. I seriously thought that the rest of the person's limb would come back at any moment. The strange point I'm making is that this image is certainly strange, but I can't imagine the heartbreak the author felt when they realized that these were people, and it was only a matter of time before they became the same way, drained of life and soul.
I also have a serious problem with the contaminated tap water.
"...I have to spit it out, the water is tepid and sweetish, with the smell of a swamp."
It is already cruel to torture and kill innocent lives, but deception is on a more twisted level and affects the victim more personally. I wouldn't be surprised if the tap would have been filled with gasoline rather than water.
Lastly, reading about his new name was tough.
"I have learned that I am a Haftling. My number is 174517."
This reminds me about slavery. One of the easiest methods to dehumanize and crush the spirits of rebellious slaves was to force an identity crisis. A name is someone's personal form of identification. My name is Joshua and I like my name. I don't want to be called Jared or John, I am Joshua. Reassigning their names to that of cold hard data can cause what seems to be at first a subtle effect, but will soon ruin their mindset. They are being treated like animals in every way, and are even expecting it. Such Pain. This is a difficult read and one that leads me to be thankful for how easy we have it.
I commented on the posts of Eliza and Caroline.
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